The Atlantic Quality
Innovation Network (AQIN)
– the Quality Innovation Network-Quality
Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) serving New York, South Carolina
and the District of Columbia – has committed to changing the way South
Carolinians think about immunizations.

“Family is very important in the South, especially among rural populations. We’re finding that when we’re talking to seniors about getting vaccinated, it really hits home to say, ‘Do it for yourself, but also do it for your family and grandkids.’”

“We knew from
the start that community outreach would be the key to success, so we
incorporated immunizations into our other quality improvement work and engaged
partners that helped attract new collaborators,” said Melinda Postal, Quality
Specialist at AQIN-South Carolina. “That led us to our initial work with the
Governor’s Office.”

With
encouragement from AQIN, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley issued a
proclamation that recognized Senior Vaccination
Season and the
need for expanded vaccination awareness efforts across the state. According to
Postal, this recognition was an important tool that helped draw attention to
the coalition’s work.

The
partnership developed educational bookmarks that have now been distributed to
approximately 15,000 seniors and nearly 200 public libraries statewide. One
side of the bookmark focuses on flu prevention and the other side on shingles,
which also impacts seniors at alarming rates. Coalition members also started a
vaccine-awareness monthly newsletter that is disseminated to stakeholders across the state. It
aims to encourage providers to prioritize vaccinations, implement best
practices and collaborate with peers.

The
coalition’s efforts yielded dramatic results during the 2015 flu season, and
early numbers for the 2016 season are expected to be equally impactful. From
August 2014 to March 2015, 29 out of the 40 counties in South Carolina saw an
uptick in influenza immunization
rates, and from January to December 2015, all counties achieved higher
pneumonia immunization rates.

Nevertheless,
barriers still exist. Many seniors aren’t able to access clinics because they
lack transportation, and more education is needed – particularly around the
fact that Medicare Part D covers many vaccinations.

Given these
needs, the coalition is looking to expand its efforts, using county-level data
to determine where to target efforts.

In the fall of
2016, coalition members launched the next phase of their strategy, a
partnership with Walgreens to host immunization clinics in rural areas. Through
collaboration with Walgreens and other local stakeholders, the coalition has
been successfully hosting three community events per quarter, with topics
ranging from immunization awareness to assisted living options. They also have
begun preparations for 2017 events,
including a State Immunization Resolution, championed by pharmacist and Senator
Ronnie Cromer, in March, and a statewide immunization day in August.

The coalition
views culture-specific messaging as critically important moving forward, as it
strives to continue the upward trend in immunization rates. “Family is very
important in the South, especially among rural populations,” said Postal.
“We’re finding that when we’re talking to seniors about getting vaccinated, it
really hits home to say, ‘Do it for yourself, but also do it for your family
and grandkids.’”